A councillor representing Oldbury is setting up a stakeholder group to ensure local residents’ voices are heard if a new nuclear power station is built.

The non-political group will comprise of representatives from the Parish Council and local residents with the aim of influencing the energy company E.ON UK’s plans at an early stage, including the issue of the cooling towers, as well as liaising with South Gloucestershire Council.

The group would also be a two-way conduit for information to and from the community.

The group is being set up by Severn ward councillor, Matthew Riddle, with help from local parish councillors. He said:

“We know that if this development happens then it will have a significant impact on the local area and so I am determined to do what I can to ensure that local residents are in the driving seat as much as they realistically can be with such a major project.

The Government’s changes to the planning regime for energy projects of this sort make it harder for local people to have a meaningful say with the final decision now being made by an undemocratic new quango.

It is important, therefore, that we coordinate local efforts at an early stage, so we can attempt to shape some important aspects of any potential development at the Oldbury site as this complex planning process moves forward.

I have delivered a special survey to ask for people’s views, what their concerns are and encourage them to get involved with this new consultative group.

The group would neither be for nor against development at Oldbury. It is about taking a step back, being pragmatic and saying that if this is going to happen – and it is still a big if – then these are the community’s concerns and we want to explore ways of addressing them.”

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